Fraser Canyon Field CampMay 29-31, 2015

Explore the many natural and cultural wonders of the Fraser Canyon.

A weekend field camp exploring the exciting human history and unique ecology of the Fraser Canyon. You’ll travel the canyon by land and water, visiting ancient First Nation villages, fortifications, and fishing sites. Historians will also reveal the major events of early European contact in the canyon, from fur trails to gold rushes and railways. The Canyon’s ecology will be on display too, including a rare stand of Garry oak found nowhere else on the BC Mainland.

Trip leaders include an archaeologist, historian, river morphologist, and two naturalists. You’ll be in the company of experts who love the Fraser Canyon and can show you secret places that few people ever see.

Our basecamp will be Camp Squeah, located just north of Hope and a 2-hour drive from almost anywhere in the Lower Mainland. Shared accommodation is available in clean, modern rooms with private washrooms. Bring your own bedding, towels, and toiletries (NOTE: bedding and towels can be provided for an additional fee–please contact us for details). All meals will be provided, with a sit down breakfast, custom bag lunch, a buffet style supper and evening snacks, all provided by the friendly Camp Squeah staff.

Wildlife viewing and photography can be enjoyed throughout the weekend and each evening will feature knowledgeable speakers. Note that the rafting portion of the weekend does NOT include extreme rapids or white water, so novices should not be afraid of the river travel. Fraser River Raft Expeditions will take us downriver from Spuzzum to Emory Creek, and they have an excellent safety record with decades of experience on the Fraser.

Friday, May 29

7:00 PM — Camp Squeah
Check-in and room assignments. (Please let us know in advance if late check-in is required)8:00 PM — Camp Squeah history & information / weekend introduction8:30 PM — Evening presentation: Michael Klassen, archaeologist, illustrates First Nation history and culture in the Fraser Canyon, including the collaboration and conflict that came with European arrival.

Camp Squeah, just 15 km north of Hope on Hwy 1. Coming from Hope, look for the large Camp Squeah sign on the left side of Hwy 1. Turn into the driveway and follow to the Camp Squeah office at the end and park. We will have signs to direct you from there.

Participants will need their own vehicles to get to Camp Squeah and to explore the Canyon on Saturday. All locations are accessible to 2-wheel-drive vehicles and carpooling is encouraged. On Sunday, a shuttle bus will take us upriver to the raft launch at Spuzzum.

Everyone age 19 & over must sign a liability waiver form in order to participate in this program. Please take the time to read this form because you must understand and agree to it when you sign it. By signing it you are waiving certain rights, including the right to sue. These forms will be available to sign when you check in. Please seek legal counsel if you have any questions.

Everyone age 18 & under must have an informed consent form signed by their parent or legal guardian in order to participate. Please contact us if you need this form prior to arrival at this program.

If a registration is cancelled 7 days or more before a program starts, HMCOL will refund the program fee and equipment rental fees (as applicable) minus an administrative cost of $20 per person. Program and equipment rental fees will not be refunded if a cancellation is received less than 7 days before the start of a program. A program may be cancelled at the discretion of HMCOL. If a program is cancelled, participants will receive a full refund of program and equipment fees.

A NOTE ABOUT LIABILITY

Hope Mountain Centre carries liability insurance and maintains excellent safety records. Due to the nature of outdoor programs, these trips do involve some personal risk. Hope Mountain Centre assumes no responsibility for personal injury or damage to personal property and we will require each participant to sign a liability release and assumption of risk form before participating in this program.

Please be aware that activities typical of this program involve many risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from events; slips and falls; loss of balance; impact, cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia, frostbite, sunburn; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, blizzards, whiteouts and high wind; steepness of terrain, tree wells, crevasses; avalanches, cornices, landslides and falling ice, snow and objects; encounters with domestic or wild animals; negligence on the part of releasees and other participants.

PROGRAM PARTNERS

Explore the many natural and cultural wonders of the Fraser Canyon.

REGISTRATION CLOSED – Please contact us at 604-869-1274 if you have any registration questions.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Mike Church

Mike is a retired UBC professor who continues to do primary research into the natural history and changing morphology of the Fraser. Friends call him a 'Gravel Guru' and 'Master of all Things Fluvial'. Mike will be on hand to explain the forces of water and gradient that make the Hope-to-Mission stretch so precious and unique within the Fraser Watershed.

Charles Hou

Charles taught Social Studies in Burnaby for 34 years and continues to run a national Canadian history contest for high school students. For many years he took his students on history-related backpacking trips, including the Tikwalus Trail, Dewdney-Whatcom Trail and Harrison-Lillooet Gold Rush Trail. Charles spent six years on the board of directors of Canada's National History Society and is a long-time member of the Vancouver Historical Society.

Michael Klassen

Michael is an accomplished archaeologist who has worked for Nlaka’pamux (Thompson) First Nation communities in the Fraser Canyon for many years. He brings a deep knowledge of the Canyon’s history and culture, and the interpretive experience to share that knowledge effectively with the public.

LEADERS

Kelly Pearce

Kelly, Program Director with Hope Mountain Centre, was a naturalist at Manning Provincial Park for 14 years and knows the Cascade Mountains well. Kelly also has a detailed knowledge of the natural and human history of the Fraser River and will introduce you to the varied ecology of the Fraser Canyon.

Scott Denkers

Scott, Administrative Director with Hope Mountain Centre, is a passionate birder, photographer and life-long student of nature and earth sciences in general. Scott is a board director at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve Society and executive committee member with the Chilliwack Field Naturalists.